A couple days ago I came across a posting on a discussion board I visit periodically in which the author expressed frustration with a couple particular elements of popular Christianity. Much of his post centered around apparent frustration with dispensational teachings (especially the “rapture”) and semi-Pelagianism (loss of salvation due to poor performance) — namely that one could do something wrong, lose salvation, miss the “rapture”, and thus be “left behind.” He said he was “terrified” that some mistake would cause him to be left behind and be tormented by “the Antichrist.” Quoting: “what if I commit a sin, and don’t have time to confess and ask God forgiveness and repent and get…left behind?!” “what if I’m in some sin that I don’t even recognize and I get……left behind?” “what if I’m watching something on TV that’s somehow a “sin” and Jesus returns and I get……left behind?” “what if I commit the unpardonable sin and get….left behind?”

There was a time when I, too, believed in the dispensational model and was influenced by numerous semi-Pelagians. I shared these same questions and had these same frustrations… as did (and do) many, many others. Yes, each side has the Bible to back their views up… but careful study is needed to see that some interpretations do not hold up.

But the author of the post I refer to grew deeply depressed over this. All his life he had been fed a system of works… be good, no, be perfect… or “God will be displeased and do something to you.” Apparently he never found the truth, found freedom from this system, found a way of escape. Before two weeks passed he had killed four people in Colorado and he himself was dead also.

Where were the people who could have shown him truth when he was searching? Surely not all were locked into the mindset that many of us know all too well… that all music with a beat is demonic, that there is an umbrella of [human] authority shielding underlings from great harm, that it is rebellious to seek truth on one’s own… or most of all, that our performance could increase or decrease our standing with God. Where were the people who knew the truth?

And for all of us who asked these same questions, who at one time or another felt this same frustration, who once were part of this same belief system…
why has our story turned out any different?

Let me tell you this: it sure isn’t our goodness that has resulted in a different story for you and me.

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I am the woman at the well, I am the harlot
I am the scattered seed that fell along the path
I am the son that ran away
And I am the bitter son that stayed

My God, my God why hast Thou accepted me
When all my love was vinegar to a thirsty King?

My God, my God why hast Thou accepted me
It’s a mystery of mercy and the song, the song I sing

I am the angry man who came to stone the lover
I am the woman there ashamed before the crowd
I am the leper that gave thanks
But I am the nine that never came

My God, my God why hast Thou accepted me
When all my love was vinegar to a thirsty King?

My God, my God why hast Thou accepted me
It’s a mystery of mercy and the song, the song I sing

You made the seed that made the tree
That made the cross that saved me
You gave me hope when there was none
You gave me your only Son

My God, Lord you are
My God, my God, Lord you are
–Caedmon’s Call

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Note: I am not making the allegation that IBLP or Bill Gothard is responsible for the recent tragedy in Colorado. However, the belief and lifestyle structure set forth by IBLP, as well as the prevalent teachings associated with dispensationalism, semi-Pelagianism and Pentecostal belief, all certainly seem to have been catalysts. Not directly responsible, as no one is responsible for the actions of another, but still part of the bigger picture.